Artists: Mary Hankins

Tell us about the style of your work: My style of work consists of realism and neo traditional.

Conventions usually worked: I've only worked one convention in my career so far!! I certainly hope to do quite a few this year!

Where did you apprentice?: I apprenticed at Dragons Den Tattoo in Ocean Springs Ms. I apprenticed for about a year and a half before I was signed off.

What tattoo artist do you most admire: I have so many tattoo artists I admire!!! I absolutely love Liz Cook, Nikko Hurtado , Kelly Doty ! Gosh I could go on and on!!

Before someone gets a tattoo what advice do you give them?: I always tell my clients to get a goodnight sleep and have a nice breakfast or lunch and to be hydrated before coming in to get tattooed. In the summer tell them to have no sun for at least 2 weeks!

How did you get into tattooing: When I met my husband he was currently working at a tattoo shop! I expressed to him how I always wanted to become an tattoo artist!! He started showing me some things here and there and I always spent all of my time in the shop learning anything I possibly could!

What inspires you to be an artist: The beauty of art is an inspiration in itself! I live on the gulf coast so I see amazing beauty everyday!! Wildlife, gardens, water, just nature inspires me!

What kind of tattoos do you look forward to doing: I look forward to do portraits and wildlife!

Is there a tattoo that you haven't done yet that you are dying to do: I am dying to do Frankenstein Portrait!!